BRUNSWICK — Film enthusiasts will gather at The Theater Project at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 16, for the first Brunswick Student Film Night. Featuring original films created by local students, the evening will include a screening, discussion with the filmmakers and a reception.

The films range from short animation to documentary to plot-twisting psychodrama. Filmmaking techniques and equipment available to the filmmakers ranged from a basic iMovie laptop program to the state-of-the-art Final Cut Pro. Friends and family stand in as actors, and Brunswick and its environs serve as the backdrop for many scenes.

“This is grassroots, living-room style creativity, said  executive director Wendy Poole. “It’s the type of from the heart artistic expression we encourage at The Theater Project.”

Several of the filmmakers featured are also Theater Project Young Company alumni/actors.Participants include the following:

Hannah Weddle, creator of “City of Dreams” and “Squirrel Encounters.” A 2006 graduate of Brunswick High School, Hannah is pursuing a degree at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts. During her time at Tisch, Hannah has focused on animation production, sound design and screenwriting. She is a former honoree of the Maine Student Film and Video Festival and helped judge that organization’s 2009 contest.

Carl Elsaesser, creator of “Paradise Clause,” a winner in the senior division at the 2006 Maine Student Film and Video Festival. A graduate of Brunswick High School, Carl most recently worked for Florentine Films. He attends Hampshire College, where he is studying film.

Jasper Lowe, co-creator of “Recall,” the grand prize winner in the 2009 Maine Student Film and Video Festival. Currently a senior at Brunswick High School, Jasper’s work was also recognized by the MSFVF in 2008 (a film called “When We Collide”). He has participated in the Maine Media Workshop’s Young Filmmakers program, with his project chosen for the final screening of notable works of the students. He hopes to study filmmaking in college.

Ripley Swan, co-creator of “Recall.” Besides collaborating with Jasper Lowe on several projects, Rippy became interested this past year in building movie-making equipment — most notably a dolly track, a steadicam and an underwater camera box. He hopes to pursue his interests in film and engineering in college.

Christian Schneider, creator of “The Invisible People,” a documentary about Franco millworkers in Brunswick and a winner in the senior division at the 2009 Maine Student Film and Video Festival. A senior at Brunswick High School, Christian is an avid historian who would like to combine his passion for history, drama and film when he attends college next year.

The event is open to the public. Tickets are available by calling The Theater Project at 729-8584. Suggested donation is $10, with all proceeds benefiting the Theater Project.

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